I recently returned from CUN. I flew via New York on VS upper and then AA on to CUN. My Aunty is a contractor for airlines and has rumored that BA is interested in the LHR-CUN route. As more 5 star hotels open in CUN like LA AMADA, why don't BA and VS want to fly this very popular route.
THANK-YOU = ]

I would think because LHR is so constrained it isn't profitable to put aircraft on routes to primarily tourist destinations like CUN. I think BA would rather use these to add services to current destinations or launch more business orientated routes first.

I think that the reason is in yields. CUN is a purely leisure route from the UK and the charter airlines have it well covered from London and the regions too, thus there is little reason for VS or BA to attempt to cover that route. Perhaps in the future if the economy picks up and a high-yield tourist market develops then one or other (perhaps VS) may try it but for now I do not see it happening.

Quoting TiktokJAKE (Thread starter):I recently returned from CUN. I flew via New York on VS upper and then AA on to CUN. My Aunty is a contractor for airlines and has rumored that BA is interested in the LHR-CUN route. As more 5 star hotels open in CUN like LA AMADA, why don't BA and VS want to fly this very popular route.

1- The European - Cancun market is infested with air charters. They run the show....
2- No premium-seat business. Nothing but vacationers looking for the cheapest deal around.

I'm starting to loose hope that one day we will see a SCHEDULE European airline running schedule flights into Cancun......If BA decides to go against the charters, that would be great..

BA flew LGW-CUN for a couple of years with AML/Flying Colours cabin crew operating the flights on high density 777-200's (10 abreast). When the contract with AML/Flying Colours finished in 2001 and the aircrafts returned to mainline, this route was dropped; with the reduction in seats and increase in base costs it wasn't deemed a viable or sustainable route.

Quoting SeansasLCY (Reply 1):I would think because LHR is so constrained it isn't profitable to put aircraft on routes to primarily tourist destinations like CUN. I think BA would rather use these to add services to current destinations or launch more business orientated routes first.

Quoting Trintocan (Reply 2):I think that the reason is in yields. CUN is a purely leisure route from the UK and the charter airlines have it well covered from London and the regions too, thus there is little reason for VS or BA to attempt to cover that route.

Quoting Juventus (Reply 3):1- The European - Cancun market is infested with air charters. They run the show....
2- No premium-seat business. Nothing but vacationers looking for the cheapest deal around.

And Tikto is right ....partially.....business classes to CUN are always full...of reward tickets or upgrades.

Agree.

Quoting Juventus (Reply 3):I'm starting to loose hope that one day we will see a SCHEDULE European airline running schedule flights into Cancun......If BA decides to go against the charters, that would be great..

VS hinted at it in the past but nothing. I too think we will see VS there before BA should they decide to start service in the future.

VA have said (please don't ask me to go dig for the quote)...that they would like to focus on more high volume destinations in the region instead of niche markets.....High Volume IMHO = CUN..maybe SJO...

When in doubt, hold on to your altitude. No-one has ever collided with the sky.

I flew Upper Class VS and believe me AA buiness class was FULL both flights !

Unless you checked the fares those passengers were paying, a full business class cabin is no indication of yield. They might all be upgrades from overbooked Y class cabins, frequent flyer redemptions, non-rev staff etc. And even full revenue premium class fares to leisure destinations are usually much lower than in strong business travel markets.